Maddison, James

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* Information supplied by Rob Tindall 15/10/23

James was born in Hexham in 1857. At his first census (1861) he is described as the son-in-law of John a lead ore miner and Jane, living in Gilesgate. This is probably an error for stepson but in later records he is ‘son’. At the age of 14 he was working as a lead ore miner but at sometime in the next ten years he began working on the railway. By 1881 he had married Isabel(la) Brown, was a railway engine fireman living in Bridge Street, Rothbury and had a four month old daughter (Jane). He moved to the other end of the line and in 1891 he was a railway engine driver. In Cruddas Terrace (9 Cruddas Terrace) he and Isabella had five children – Jane (10), Andrew (7), Elizabeth (7), George (2) and Isabel (2). (One wonders whether any other household in Bellingham had two sets of twins.) The family moved to 31, Hawes Street Elswick where James was still an engine driver in 1901. Four of the children were living at home with three working - as waitress in an inn, mechanical engineer and paint and varnish maker. Isabella Maddison died in the last quarter of 1902. James re-married in 1903 in Gateshead. His second wife was a widow – Elizabeth Douglas Moor who was originally from Tweedmouth the daughter of Nicholas, a skinner, and Isabella. Elizabeth brought children with her and in the 1911 Census is described as a grocery provisions dealer. In 1905 James and Elizabeth had a daughter, and at some stage became long-time residents of 67, Tulloch Street, Newcastle. Elizabeth died on 17 July 1914, leaving £80-14-9 to James Maddison, retired engine driver. James, of Tulloch Street, where in 1921 he was head of a household consisting of himself, his married daughter, Elizabeth Bryson, and (grand)daughter May Maddison, died 4 May 1929 leaving effects worth £163-18-1.